It was all bit strongmanish.

The head of Australia's super secret spy agency has been pulled under the spotlight over a photo of him making a fist pump gesture with Philippines strongman Rodrigo Duterte.

Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) Director General Nick Warner met with Duterte on August 23 to chat terrorism, and was photographed by local news agency ABS-CBN news making a "fist pump" gesture at the camera -- a trademark gesture of the Phillipines president.

Duterte's war on drugs has left thousands dead and has been criticised by Australia, who is also partnered with the Phillipines in the war on terror.

"It's sickening the head of Australia's spy agency would pose for a photo effectively fist-pumping a leader who has instigated the killing of thousands of people in the so-called war on drugs," Pearson said.

Condemnation of Duterte's war on drugs has mainly been left to human rights groups and political opponents, while his campaign is seen as having broad support in the local community.

Nicole Corato, research fellow at the University of Canberra and editor of the recently published The Duterte Reader, also wants an explanation for the pose.

"Some may view this pose as harmless, but the clenched fist pose is precisely the symbol of the regime's defiance. It symbolises an iron fisted approach to governance. I'm not surprised that this is controversial," she told the ABC.